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Water productivity, energetics and economics of maize based cropping sequences compared to rice-wheat system under different moisture regimes
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Navneet Kaur; Brar, Ajmer Singh
A field experiment was carried out over two consecutive years of 2016-17 and 2017-18 at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. To compare various maize based crop sequences with rice-wheat system, a replicated experiment was conducted with varying degrees of crop sequences and irrigation regimes. Eight crop sequences were compared in the main plots: rice-wheat, maize-wheat, maize-potato- mentha + onion, maize + cowpea (f)-potato-mentha + onion, maize + cowpea (f)-potato-spring maize, maize + cowpea (f)-gobhi sarson-summer moong, maize-toria + gobhi sarson-summer moong and maize + cowpea (f)-toria + gobhi sarson-summer moong. Four irrigation regimes of IW/CPE ratio 0.75, IW/CPE ratio 1.0, IW/CPE ratio 1.25 and recommended schedule were compared in sub plots. The rice equivalent yield was significantly higher in maize + cowpea (f)-potato-mentha + onion followed by maize-potato-mentha + onion and maize + cowpea-potato-spring maize compared to other crop sequences. This was due to higher production potential of potato which ultimately increased the rice equivalent yield of sequences in which potato was included as one of the component crop. The rice equivalent yield of various crop sequences increased with increase in frequency of irrigation water. The crop water productivity was significantly higher with maize + cowpea-potato-mentha + onion with I0.75 during both the years as compared to all other crop sequences and irrigation regimes combinations except maize-potato-mentha + onion with I0.75. Rice-wheat sequence with recommended schedule produced significantly lower crop water productivity as compared to maize-potato-mentha+ onion, maize + cowpea (f)-potato-mentha + onion and maize-potato-spring maize with all the irrigation regimes during both the years. The apparent water productivity was significantly higher in maize + cowpea-potato- mentha + onion sequence as compared to all other crop sequences during both the years. The lowest apparent water productivity was recorded with rice-wheat sequence under all the irrigation regimes. On the basis of energy efficiency, R-W with IRec had lower energy efficiency compared to maize-wheat, maize-potato-mentha+onion and maize+ cowpea (f)-potato-mentha+onion under all the irrigation regimes during both the years. Among different maize based crop sequences, the most energy efficient was maize+cowpea (f)-gobhi sarson-summer moong with IRec followed by maize+cowpea (f)-gobhi sarson-summer moong with I1.25 during both the years. On the basis of energy productivity, maize+cowpea (f)-gobhi sarson-summer moong with I1.25 was found to be the most energy productive being statistically at par with rice-wheat with IRec and maize+cowpea (f)-gobhi sarson-summer moong with IRec during 2016-17 while it was significantly better compared to rice-wheat with IRec during 2017- 18. Economic analysis reveals that R-W with IRec recorded the lowest net returns compared to maize- potato-mentha+onion with I1.25 and IRec, maize+cowpea(f)-potato-mentha+onion with I1.25 and IRec and maize+cowpea(f)-potato-spring maize with I1.25 and IRec during both the years.
Open Access
Determinants of entrepreneurship development in beekeeping : case studies of Punjab
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Vajpai, Vikas; Rupinder Kaur
The present study was undertaken with the objectives to study the socio-economic and psychological traits, institutional framework, impact of family capital and social capital on beekeeping, document marketing strategies and innovations used by beekeepers, identify challenges in exploiting innovative opportunities and identify major problems being faced by the beekeepers. Study was conducted in 22 districts of Punjab state. A total of 44 progressive beekeepers were selected using proportional probability sampling and case study design for the study. Data were collected by personal interview method. It was found that 47.73 per cent of the respondents belonged to middle age (44-55) and most of them were educated up to senior secondary with operational land holding more than 10 acres. Respondents had high level of mass media exposure. Hort. Dept. and PAU scientists were major formal sources of information. Nearly 60.00 of the respondents had high level of achievement motivation and half were moderate internal risk takers. Respondents had rational decision-making style. Nearly one third of the respondents had balanced locus of control and 60.00 per cent of farmers were having high level of innovativeness. Commercial banks were the first preferred economic institutional support by the Respondents. Majority of the respondents preferred “PAU or KVKs” For capacity building through training. In case of standardization and certification of honey, respondents were registered under the AGMARK. Nearly one third of the Respondents preferred NAFED/ MARKFED for regulating market quality, supply and price of honey and honey products. For social support respondents preferred family. Family capital and social capital both had positive impact on up scaled beekeeping enterprise. For maintenance of good quality of honey, nearly 66.00 per cent of respondents avoided the use of restricted chemicals as well as keeping honey in air tight containers. About two third of the respondents were practicing direct marketing of honey and honey products. Nearly 61.36 per cent of the respondents had sold honey directly to wholesaler/ through distributors. Very few (13.64%) respondents exported honey through APEDA. The challenges faced by the respondents which had a key role of exploiting innovative opportunities were seeking financial support for the enterprise followed by looking market for quality bee products, convincing/ satisfying consumers for quality and search of bee flora in other states as well as meeting standard of quality of trade the major challenges. The major problems were lack of bee flora in the Punjab state followed by too much use of agrochemicals, lack of insurances policy, accidental or any other major loss and burning of crop residue.
Open Access
Development of neem based formulation for management of Rattus rattus (Linn.) population
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Jasvir Kaur; Babbar, B.K.
Six different concentrations of NSP (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12%), nine different doses from stock solution of NSAE (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 ml) and six different doses from NSO (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 ml) were tested under laboratory condition to determine the effective dose with repellent effect against R. rattus. Results revealed antifeedant/ secondary repellent effect with the all doses and there was non-significance difference in antifeedant index (AI) among doses, therefore for the further studies, two dose each of NSAE ( 0.2ml and 2ml) and NSO (0.1ml and 0.6 ml) were selected. Testing of existence of primary effect revealed that rats avoided all the treated baits four first one to four hours after exposure. After that rats developed habituation to primary/olfactory repellent effect and started eating treated baits but consumption of treated baits remained low. Rats were not habituated for secondary repellent effect with the effective doses of NSAE (2 ml) and NSO (0.6ml) upto experiment period of 30 days. Six formulation (F1 to F6) were prepared using effective doses of NSAE and NSO and were tested under simulated storage conditions and in grain stores. Result revealed potential of F3 and F4 as repellent in preventing rodent damage for considerably long time as compared to other formulations tested. For using antifertility property of neem, seven different formulations (F7 to F13) were prepared using neem seed alcoholic hexane extract (NSAHE). As consumption of F11 was maximum, therefore antifertility effect was recorded in rats fed on F11 as well as in rats given oral dose of NSAHW. Results revealed potential of neem seed alcoholic hexane extract and its F11 formulation in reducing reproductive potential of rats. However there is need to further increase the acceptance of F11 based bait.
Open Access
Price forecasting, linkages and relevance: a study of national commodity and derivatives exchange of India
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Dhir, Gauri; Dharni, Khushdeep
Present study has been undertaken to forecast the futures prices of selected agricultural commodities and to examine the linkage of Dhaanya with selected macro-economic indices and linkage of National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange with international commodity exchanges. Further, an attempt has been made to study the opinion of the stakeholders regarding agricultural commodity exchanges in India. To fulfill the first objective of this study, data mining tools have been used to forecast futures prices of sugar, soybean, chana (black) and castor seeds. Closing future prices of these commodities were collected from the website of the selected commodity exchange for the period of 9 years i.e. from January 2007 to June 2016. Secondly, linkage between Dhaanya and macro economic indices has been explored. These indices include WPI, IIP, CNX-NIFTY, M3, FPI of FAO and US Dollar. International linkages have also been identified by taking closing values of future prices of soybean, corn, sugar and soybean oil at national and international commodity exchanges. Further, to explore the relevance of agricultural commodity exchanges in India, primary data have been collected from stakeholders through three separate pre-structured questionnaires. Forecasting results indicate that data mining techniques such as ANN, SVM and Decision tree model can be used to forecast future prices of commodities in profitable manner. Long run relationship between Dhaanya and Index of industrial production (IIP) has been observed. International linkage results also indicate that there is presence of long run relationship between national and international commodity markets. Primary data results indicate that the farmers were having very low awareness regarding working of the commodity exchanges and were having negligible participation. There was a significant difference among the opinion of various stakeholders regarding the relevance of commodity exchanges in India.
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Characterization, population dynamics of Streptomyces spp. and management of potato scab
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Sabhikhi, Hardeep Singh; Hunjan, Mandeep
Scab of potato caused by various Streptomyces spp. has assumed serious proportions in certain potato growing regions of Punjab. A total of 2060 acres were surveyed during this study, out of which 490 acres were having scab infection. Maximum disease severity was observed in Kapurthala (7.9%), followed by Ludhiana (6.3%) and Jalandhar (6.2%) districts. During the surveys, it was observed that common scab type of symptoms were the most prevalent (89.7%), however disease induced by multiple type symptoms was viz., pitted or raised corky lesions was more severe. One hundred seven isolates of Streptomyces were collected, and characterized biochemically, pathotypically and genetically. All the Streptomyces spp. isolates could utilize hexose sugars, but not pentose sugars and most of the isolates produced melanoid pigment, an important virulence factor of this bacterium. Multiple antibiotic resistance was observed in 20 isolates. Pathotypic bioassay of Streptomyces spp. isolates revealed that Kufri Pukhraj had the highest virulence frequency (81.3%) while K. Himsona had the least (40.2%). Ninety six isolates were confirmed pathogenic. The 16srDNA amplification confirmed the identity of the genus, whereas sequence analysis of nine representative isolates revealed that Strep101 belonged to Streptomyces acidiscabies, Strep102 to reticuliscabiei, while Strep131, Strep137, Strep143, Strep145, Strep154, Strep170 and Strep173 to scabiei. All isolates were further characterized on the basis of pathogenicity genes, txtA and nec1.The txtA gene from Punjab isolates either matched with S. scabiei or S. turgidiscabies No txtA amplification was observed in S. acidiscabies, Strep101 and S. reticuliscabiei, Strep102. The nec1 gene was amplified in 84 out of 96 isolates and no nec1 was detected in S. reticuliscabiei, Strep102. Genetic fingerprinting carried out by using 17 RAPD primers clustered these into eight genetic groups. Many genetic groups had multiple virulence groups and vice-versa. To identify resistant donors, 41 potato germplasm lines were screened using representative isolates of different virulence groups. Most of the lines were susceptible to moderately susceptible. Three crop rotations viz., fallow-rice-potato, summer moong-rice-potato and sunhemp-rice-potato showed maximum per cent decrease in the population of Streptomyces spp. in soil and scab severity on potato tubers. Using disease free seed tuber or early harvesting of potato from scab sick field also observed that to reduce scab effectively. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of different chemicals against S. scabies showed that Streptocycline, streptomycin, boric acid and copper sulphate were effective. However, tuber seed treatment with chemicals viz., Kocide@0.2% and Streptocycline@100 ppm and antagonist Streptomyces spp. strain S25 and S27 had negative impact on the germination of potato seed tuber. For the management of scab, complete package involving use of tolerant cultivars, disease free seed or seed treatment, and cultural practices have to be followed.
Open Access
Genome wide association mapping for heat tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.)
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Longmei, Ningthaipuilu; Gill, Gurjit Kaur
The present investigation entitled “Genome wide association mapping for heat tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.)” was carried out at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during spring, 2016 and 2017 under optimal and heat stress conditions. Substantial significant variability was observed in the association mapping panel for heat associated traits under both the conditions. These traits were significantly affected by high temperature stress. Under heat stress, anthesis-silking interval (ASI) prolonged and some genotypes had no silk emergence. Average grain yield (3.46 t/ha) was low compared to that under optimal condition. Broad-sense heritability ranged from low to high in both conditions. The traits viz., days to 50% anthesis (AD) and silking (SD) and anthesis-silking interval (ASI) had significantly negative association with grain yield while plant and ear height and ear position showed significant positive correlation with grain yield. In 2016, 2017 and pooled over both years, total 159, 154 and 130 SNPs, respectively, were found associated with these traits under optimal condition. However, under heat stress, total 182, 109 and 71 SNPs were found associated with these traits during 2016, 2017 and pooled condition, respectively. Out of these, 7 and 9, SNPs was found associated with more than one trait under optimal condition while 23 and 11, SNPs under heat stress condition in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Similarly, total 122 and 123 haplotype blocks were associated with these traits individually while 20 and 6 haplotype blocks with more than one trait under optimal and heat stress conditions, respectively. Eighty one DH lines were found promising in both the conditions and were found associated with favorable alleles of significant SNPs and haplotype blocks for heat associated traits.
Open Access
EFFECT OF EARLY AND LATE SOWING OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) UNDER WATER DEFICIT CONDITIONS ON DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIOXIDANT DEFENCE SYSTEM AND GRAIN QUALITY
(PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, LUDHIANA, 2010) SONDEEP SINGH; GUPTA, A. K.
Drought and high temperature (HT) are major environmental constraints in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production and quality world wide. Deciphering the mechanisms of drought and HT tolerance is a challenging task because of the complexity of stress respo
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Effect of organic amendments on boron availability in calcareous soils under raya (Brassica juncea L.) and soybean (Glycine max.L.)
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Sukhvir Kaur; Sharma, Sandeep
A pot experiment was conducted during rabi (2016-2017) and kharif (2017) season to study the response of raya (Brassica juncea L.) (cv. PBR 357) and soybean (Glycine max L.) (cv. SL 958) to different levels of boron (B) and different organic manures in boron deficient calcareous soils of Punjab. Three different soils with varying calcium carbonate content viz. 0.65 (soil I), 4.1 (soil II) and 5.4 per cent (soil III) were collected from Ludhiana, Sudhar (Ludhiana) and Bathinda Districts for experimental study. The treatments comprised six levels of boron for soil application viz. 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mg B kg-1 and two levels of farmyard manure viz. control and FYM @10 t ha-1. The experiment was laid out in CRD factorial design with three replications. Yield and yield attributing characters at different crop growth stages (grand growth and maturity stage) increased significantly at 1.5 mg B kg-1 with FYM irrespective of the soils. The boron content and its uptake was higher in leaves followed by stem, grains and root, respectively both in raya and soybean crop. Among calcareous soils, soil I with lowest calcium carbonate was the best soil in respect of yield, yield components, boron content and its uptake in comparison to soil with medium and high calcium carbonate content. Boron transformation in soil after the harvesting of raya and soybean crop revealed that readily soluble was higher in soil I compared with soil II and soil III. Specifically adsorbed, oxide bound, residual and total boron were more in soil III however, oxide and organically bound fractions were higher in soil II. The coefficient of determinations (R2) for Langmuir adsorption isotherm were lower compared with Freundlich adsorption isotherm which proved that Freundlich adsorption isotherm to be more valid for adsorption studies. It indicated that B adsorption data fits excellent to Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The highest value of adsorption maxima (b) (45.0 mg kg-1) was recorded in silty clay. However, the highest bonding energy constant (k) (0.111 L kg-1) value was recorded in sandy soil whereas; the (k) lowest value 0.047 mg L-1 was recorded in silty clay. The Freundlich bonding energy constant increased with increase in soil clay content having minimum value in sandy soil 1.405 mg kg-1 and maximum (2.29 mg kg-1) in silty clay soil. In incubation study, the availability of boron in soil was studied with six varying levels of boron (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mg B kg-1), five organic amendments (control, farmyard manure, press mud, poultry manure and rice straw compost) with three levels of calcium carbonate content (0.64, 4.1 and 5.4 per cent) at 15, 30 and 60 days of intervals. The soil was incubated in a temperature controlled room at 25oC. Boron availability increased as a function of time and treatment for different soils. The mean boron content was highest in soil application of 2.5 mg B kg-1 with farmyard manure followed by press mud, poultry manure, rice straw and control (no-amendment) in different types of soils. Availability of boron was highest in soil with low calcium carbonate content and decreased with increasing levels of calcium carbonate content over time period.
Open Access
Characterization of stress tolerant microalgae strains for biogas production
(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Sharma, Nishu; Phutela, Urmila Gupta
The present research work was aimed at characterization of stress tolerant microalgae strains for biogas production. A total of six strains, five stress tolerant microalgae strains viz. BGLR4, BGLR7, BGLR10, BGLR18, BGLRS and one standard strain Spirulina sp. NCIM 5143 were used in the present study. These strains were screened for maximum biomass production, chlorophyll content, protein, carbohydrate and lipids on four different media viz. Blue green-11(BG-11), Bold’s basal medium (BBM), Algal culture medium (ACM) and Zarrouk’s medium (ZM) and on different concentrations of unsterilized dairy wastewater (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%). Among all the six strains, BGLR18 and BGLRS were found to produce maximum biomass BBM and ACM respectively while Spirulina sp. NCIM 5143 produced maximum biomass on ZM. BGLR18 and BGLRS showed maximum growth on 60% concentration of dairy wastewater whereas Spirulina sp. NCIM 5143 on 100% concentration of dairy wastewater. Maximum percent reduction in various physico-chemical parameters of dairy wastewater was shown by BGLR18 and BGLRS at 60% dairy wastewater while Spirulina sp. NCIM 5143 at 100%. Further, studies were carried out with strains BGLR18 and BGLRS and compared with standard strain Spirulina sp. NCIM 5143. Cultural conditions of BGLR18, BGLRS and Spirulina sp. NCIM 5143 were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design. The optimized and most desirable cultural conditions of pH, temperature, light intensity, growth period and inoculum concentration for BGRL18 were 10.02, 20.00°C, 7599.41 Lux, 21.75 days and 1.00% ; for BGLRS were 11.17, 26.03 °C, 4000.02 Lux, 39.37 days and 10.00% and for Spirulina sp. NCIM 5143 were 10.35, 24.38 °C, 8000.00 Lux, 25.13 days and 1.00% respectively. On molecular identification, BGLR18 showed 96% resemblance to Chlorosarcinopsis eremi and BGLRS showed 99% resemblance with Scenedesmus sp. MKB. These three strains showed wide variation in their total nitrogen, total protein,total phenols, antioxidant activity, DPPH radical scavenging activity. ICP-AES analysis showed that heavy metals were negligible in all the three strains while essential elements like Ca, Fe, P and Mg were present in higher concentrations than Spirulina sp. NCIM 5143. GC-MS analysis of methanolic extract showed that many bioactive compounds were present in all the strains. These strains were evaluated for their biogas production potential alone and in co-digestion with paddy straw. The highest biogas was produced by BGLRS (Scenedesmus sp. MKB) (28.80 Litres) with highest biogas production potential (P) of 30.85 mLg-1 VS showing maximum biogas production rate (Rm) of 0.58 mLg-1d -1 with a lag phase (λ) of 1.30 days. While in co-digestion experiment, the highest biogas production was recorded by BGLR18 (Chlorosarcinopsis eremi) (168.46 Litres) with maximum biogas production potential (P) of 214.30 mLg-1 VS showing maximum biogas production rate (Rm) of 8.76 mLg-1 d -1 with a lag phase (λ) of 12.10 days. Hence, the stress tolerant microalgae strains can be co-digested with paddy straw for enhancing biogas production.

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